Barrister branding … War of the post-nominals … Tidal wave of support at Yarraside Bar 'n' Grill for gold plating the business … Letters Patent-Leather and the return of QCs
Inspiration for VicBar
AS if the self-impalement of the Yarraside Premier was not enough distraction.
Now we have Michael Wyles SC leading the charge to bring back Queens Counsel.
With Betty Windsor ill at 87, it could be Kings Counsel sooner than expected.
Anyway, Wyles has been canvassing other SCs throughout Melbourne saying that Queensland's move back to QCs will disadvantage SCs "in and for the state of Victoria".
Queensland AG Joe Bjelke-Jarrad said last year:
"The charge would give Queensland leverage over other Australian states, which maintain the SC title, competing form a share of the market."
Not if Michael Wyles can help it. He told his colleagues:
" … the brand of Queens Counsel or QC is superior to and certainly more week-known and understood, than the name Senior Counsel or the letters SC."
Wyles: SCs have not "caught on"Senior Counsel, says Wyles, has "not caught on" in Australia and has no recognition beyond our land girt-by-sea.
Why even the sheep shaggers across the ditch have dusted off the letters patent and gonged themselves as QCs (and knights).
The insecurity and wankery is well and truly on display.
In his email The Wyles One said the project needs support in order to get it on the bar council agenda.
As of Tuesday (March 5) the idea had caught fire.
Wyles reported to constituents the latest numbers:
- 138: SCs polled
- 103: SCs responded
- 63: In favour
- 9: Neutral
- 4: Undecided
- 27: Against
Presumably, now the CJ, the AG and the Governor will all have to be roped on-board.
As for the government, it seems to have other, more pressing, issues on its plate.